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Red Hat answers us all on patents

"In sum, legal changes in the U.S. that have allowed
software patents have not served the purpose of promoting
innovation. Experience has shown that such patents are not only
unnecessary but actually detrimental.

"They discourage innovation, by imposing costs and risks on
software development that would not otherwise exist. As discussed
below, however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
recently appeared to recognize that the existing system must be
substantially modified, and it has provided an approach for
repairing the system.

"The last point being a reference to In re Bilski, which many
believe could substantially change the US position on software
patents."